Rarity4u - Apostle Spoons You have declined cookies. This decision can be reversed. Reconsider Cookies Apostle Spoons For many years, godparents and other relatives have given silver spoons as christening presents. It was this tradition that gave birth to the expression “born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth”, suggesting a child will never be without money. This tradition of giving a spoon can be traced back to the mid 1500's, when spoons cast with one of the 12 apostles were often given as christening and wedding presents. The wealthy giving complete sets and others a small number or just one. It was a generous gift as the majority of spoons at this time were made of wood, few people being able to afford pewter or silver. Complete sets of thirteen different spoons having the same maker and date are very rare.It was also a very practical one as up until about 1670 people just used their fingers and a spoon at mealtimes. People were likely to carry their one and only spoon with them, wiping it between courses. It is unlikely that apostle spoons were in use much before 1500 - the oldest known example is from 1593.

An apostle spoon is a type of spoon that has, as the finial, a cast figure depicting one of the Twelve Apostles with his attribute. The typically faceted handles and fig-shaped bowls were generally made from one piece of silver. The figure was attached to the finial with a ‘V’ joint by London makers, while a lap joint was used in other regions. Some of the bowls of the Apostle Spoons were hammered and the stem forged on the bowl; the figures of the Apostles were cast, being afterwards soldered on to the stem. The mark was punched inside the bowl. The apostle figures were identifiable by the symbolic object they carried; 01 The Master cross and orb 02 St. Peter a sword or a key 03 St. Andrew a cross 04 St. James the Greter a pilgrim's staff 05 St. John the cup od sorrow 06 St. Phillip a staff 07 St. Bartholomew a knife 08 St. Thomas a spar 09 St. Matthew an axe or halbert 10 St. James the Less a fuller's bat 11 St. Jude a square 12 St.

Simon Zelotes a long saw 13 St. Judas a bag of money Spoons are an extremely popular collecting area in general, partially because a comparatively large number of old examples have survived. Of all antique spoons, apostle spoons are particularly desirable, having attracted the interest of collectors since the 1700's. They have remained popular and thus valuable. Early examples are rare and there are only two complete sets featuring the 12 apostles and Jesus known to exist today. The relatively high value has lead to a number of fakes appearing on the market – usually made up from an antique spoon and a reproduction figure. A full set of Apostle spoons will consist of thirteen spoons, usually silver, with a small figure of Jesus or one of the twelve apostles at the end of each stem. When first made, an apostle spoon such as one made in 1647 by Thomas Dare of Somerset, United Kingdom, would have cost 15 shillings which was a lot of money at the time.

Apostle spoons, as with all silver items, have been forged many times over the years and reproduced in great numbers including some made of pewter or latten, as well as inexpensive reproduction which often show the figure without a nimbus or an attribute.If you are checking authenticity, take a close look at the proportions of the spoon - a bowl that is too big for the stem should arouse your suspicions. Look also at the apostle figure which in fakes will often be poorly carved or not have the correct emblem. Finally if there is no wear at all around the edge of the bowl you may be looking at a fake - genuine articles will often show wear and tear. apostle spoons baptism baptismal mechanical spoons silver marks APOSTLE SPOONS Apostle spoons are one of the oldest form of silver spoons available. The finial is designed in the shape of one of the 12 apostles, although the specifics of each apostle vary from culture to culture. Some apostle spoons have been dated to the 1500's but those are exceedingly rare.

Only two complete sets of 13 apostle spoons from the early 1500's are known to exist in the entire world and one is a "re-assembled set", meaning that the set had been broken up over the succeeding generations and it was re-assembled in the first part of this century due to some great silver sleuthing. Several later sets are known to exist, but these are also extremely rare and valuable. For the most part, these spoons were made individually. Wealthy grandparents would buy one spoon representing a babies "apostle" and it would be their Christening present. This spoon would be used only by that person and it would be kept for life. Consequently most of the old apostle spoons show considerable wear (note pictures), both at the finial and at the bowl. The phrase "to be born with a silver spoon" stems from this tradition. There is a wide variety of apostle spoons that were made from the 1500's to modern times, but I am not an avid collector of these pieces, so I can only show a few.

Several different companies have made sets of these spoons since the beginning of this century including the Franklin Mint in the 1970's. Also a number of sets of silver plated pieces from England are readily available. The individual apostles may sometimes be identified by what they are holding. Near the bottom of this page is a list of some of the common associations. This group of six pieces is marked with a Nuremberg, Germany mark and is believed to date to the late 1700's. In fairness, it is important to state that old Nuremberg marks were reproduced during the late 1890's by antique reproducers. See the discussion on this at Victorian Era Reproductions. I thought that this piece was rather unique until I found a second. It is unusual in that it is a mechanical spoon. In the spoon on the left the cup is held at stomach level, but when the spoon is turned over, the cup and arms move to the mouth level (right photo). The finials on both spoons are the same, but the bowls are hand pounded and are different. These spoons are from "Rothenburg", Germany.

This large 7.5" apostle spoon was made in Augsberg, Germany using sterling silver, so it was intended for export. While the spoon looks like it is several hundred years old, it was made in the late 19th or early 20th century. The spoon has a series of German marks, and a series of simulated British marks, but I suspect that it was made for the American market. Details of the spoon are shown below. The bowl is all handworked and shows a rural pastural scene with contented cows etc. This spoon has a apostle finial and it is marked with an old French purity mark that dates back to the late 1700's or early 1800's. It has a very long stem with twisted center and a small "stirrer" style bowl. According to Dorothy Rainwater, this is a Swiss Apostle spoon. It is marked with an "O and a D" in separate touches in the bowl. I have been unable to identify the marks and have no idea as to its age or metallic purity.

I have just acquired this 19th century reproduction of a 16th century (1571) Norwegian Baptismal/Apostle spoon made for a king. This sterling silver (handle) with 830 silver quality bowl is hand made and very finely chased in the old style. Since it is not possible for a private collector to have the original of such a piece, this high quality reproduction is the best that is available to a collector. The finial is St. Olaf and the front of the bowl is chased with a Norwegian view of the Madonna Other spoons of this type and more details have been added. Click to see Apostle Spoons - Article - 1907 - Post by dognose » Sat Apr 13, 2013 2:44 pm A 1907 article regarding Apostle spoons that appeared in the magazine 'The Collector': APOSTLE SPOONS The antiquity and rarity of Apostle spoons renders them objects of interest to collectors and of considerable value as curiosities. The precise date of their origin seems obscure; but they would appear to have been primarily used for baptismal gifts.

The spoon itself had for many ages taken this part in baptismal festivities, and it was not only as being the most useful domestic implement, and one which a child would require first in his after life, that it was singled out as a suitable present on the occasion of his baptism; it was held, besides, in antiquarian reverence as being the earliest domestic implement mentioned in the world's history. The ancient Egyptians used neither knives nor forks, nor any substitute corresponding to the chopsticks of the Chinese, but usually ate with the fingers ; the spoon, however, was used by them for soups and other liquids. These spoons were made chiefly of ivory, bone, wood, or bronze, and were of various sizes and shapes. The handles were sometimes formed into a hook, for the purpose of hanging them on a nail or peg when not in use; or decorated with designs of lotus flowers, animals, or human heads or figures. The idea of decorating the handles was thus conceived at a very early period. Made in the first instance for utility, the spoon, as many another simple article, thus early became subject to ornamentation, and as soon as ornamentation appears, an object to which it is applied comes to be regarded as of art value.

The earliest spoons in England were probably of wood or pewter, but as knowledge of metal working increased, the spoon, like many other articles of everyday use, appeared in precious metals with elaborate ornamentation. Five or six hundred years ago a gold or silver spoon was regarded as an essential amongst the possessions of persons of rank, and few people made a will which did not contain mention of a spoon of some value bequeathed to widow or other member of the family. The spoon, too, was the earliest article of plate to receive the English Hall-mark. The evolution of the Apostle spoon, both in England and on the Continent, thus becomes apparent. From a handle ornamented at the end with a spear or diamond point, or by some floral design, such as a pineapple, cone, or acorn, when presented as a baptismal gift the figure of the saint after whom the child was named, or to whom the child was dedicated, or the patron saint of the donor, sometimes became its terminal ornamentation. A figure or head of the Virgin Mary was also sometimes seen.

It then became customary for persons who were in a position to afford it to present a child with a set of twelve, bearing figures of the twelve Apostles, or of thirteen, the extra one being either a figure of the Saviour, called the " Master Spoon," or of St. Paul. A will proved in the year 1446 contains a bequest of a spoon ornamented with a head of the Virgin Mary, and it is probable that such a spoon, which came to be known as a Maidenhead spoon, was not designed many years anterior to that date. In the next century they became fairly common. The date of the first manufacture of a set of Apostle Spoons is estimated at about 1500, and, once introduced, their popularity continued for more than 150 years. Old wills between the years 1493 and 1626 contain several mentions of Apostle spoons. A certain Richard Wills appears to have possessed several sets of twelve and thirteen, and was probably the earliest collector.

In an inventory taken in the year 1536 of the effects at Minster Priory, in the Isle of Sheppey, one of the items stands: "xiij spones of Chryst and the xii Apostells, whereof j gilt and the rest sylver with mages gilt." These are only a few records of many which existed. Although all kinds of ornamented spoons have been the objects of interest to collectors, none, perhaps, have found such favour as Apostle spoons. A complete set has now an extraordinary market value. As recently as 1876 a complete matched silver set of a later date than 1515 were put up to auction by an eminent London firm and fetched no less than Â£1,000. A set of eight Apostle spoons are recorded as having been sold at Christie, Manson, and Wood's in 1890, and fetched Â£252. They were originally in the possession of Bishop Whyte, of Winchester.

Another set of twelve, six being of date 1524 and the remainder 1553, the latter six having evidently been made to complete the set, were sold in 1892 by the same auctioneers for Â£400. The figures are usually represented with the emblem which has become the distinguishing mark of each Apostle in legendary art, thus: 1. St. Peter bears a key or fish; 2. St. Andrew, the transverse or saltire cross upon which he suffered martyrdom ; 3. St. James the Great, the pligrim staff, signifying that he was the first of the Apostles who departed to fulfil his Gospel mission ; 4. St. John, a chalice with a serpent –the cup of sorrow; 5. St. Philip, a cross, which varies in form, it is sometimes small, sometimes high in the form of a T, or takes the form of a tall staff surmounted by a Latin cross, either in reference to his martyrdom or to his conquest over the idolatrous by the power of the Cross; 6. St.

Bartholomew, a large butcher's knife, by which implement his martyrdom was accomplished; 7. St.' Thomas, the builder's rule or spear. The former refers to the legend of King Gondoforus to whom St. Thomas was the spiritual architect, the latter to his martyrdom, he having died transfixed with spears. 8. St. Matthew, a purse or wallet or sometimes an axe or spear, the former in reference to his profession, the latter to his martyrdom ; 9. St. James the Less, a club or fuller's bat, with which instruments the infuriated populace of Jerusalem, of which he was bishop, beat out his brains; 10. St. Simon Zelotes, a long saw, he having been sawn asunder at his martyrdom; 11. St. Thaddeus or Jude, a cross, club, halberd, lance, or occasionally a saw, probably relating to his martyrdom, the manner of which a doubt exists; 12. St. Matthias, an axe or halberd, referring to his martyrdom, and 13. St.

Paul, a sword, or sometimes two swords, emblematic of his martyrdom and of the good fight. Occasionally Judas Iscariot was included as the twelfth instead of St. Matthew, and St. Jude was sometimes omitted and his place taken by St. Paul. In a few instances St. Mark and St. Luke have replaced St. Simon and St. Matthias. In the first volume of Hone's Every-day Book (published in 1826), under St. Paul's Day, January 25, a woodcut is given of a set of twelve Apostle spoons said to be in the possession of the writer of the article which accompanies the woodcut. Their value is supposed to be lessened by the fact of the stems and bowls having been altered somewhat by the silversmith to make them conform in pattern more nearly to the fashion of the day. The stems measure in their altered condition 3Â½ inches in length from the foot of the Apostle to the commencement of the bowl ; the length of each bowl is 2" inches, and the height of each Apostle is 1 inches. The entire length of each spoon is 7Â¼ inches. They are of silver.

The lightest, which is St. Peter, weighs 1oz. 5dwt. 9grs., the heaviest is St. Bartholomew, weighing 1oz. 9dwt. 4grs.; the collective weight is 16oz. 14dwt. 16grs. The head of each figure is surmounted by a flat, hat-like covering. This was usual with Apostle spoons, and was probably affixed to protect the features from effacement by wear or abrasions. Many quotations from the older ittenitiurs are given as proof of Apostle spoons being well-known objects in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

A character in Ben Jonson's "Bartholomew Fair," says: "And all this for the hope of a couple of Apostle spoons and a cup to eat caudle in " ; and in Middleton's " Chaste Maid of Cheapside " there is mention of "a faire highstanding cup and two great 'postle spoons–one of them gilt." Shakespeare, it is true, makes no mention of Apostle spoons in his plays, but an anecdote is told how he, when standing as godfather to one of Jonson's children, was seen by Jonson after the christening to be absorbed in thought. "Why so melancholy. Will ?" quoth Jonson, and to him Shakespeare answered: "Ben. I have been considering a great while what should be the fittest gift for me to bestow upon my godchild, and I have resolved it at last." "I'll give him," said Shakespeare, in answer to Jonson's inquiry what it might be.

"I'll give him a dozen good latten spoons, and thou shalt translate them." Latten was the name given to a thin tinned iron, of which spoons and such like domestic articles were frequently made, and used thus was intended as a play on the word Latin. Even if these were not Apostle spoons it is evidence of the custom of a number or set of spoons being presented as a baptismal gift. Sets of Apostle spoons are comparatively rare nowadays, and when put up for sale are eagerly secured regardless of cost. Single specimens are far more reasonable in their demands on a collector. A set of twelve, eleven Apostles and a "Master" spoon, was contained in the celebrated Bernal collection. Ralph Bernal, politician and art collector, better known as the latter, died at Eaton-square in 1854. He had amassed a splendid collection of glass, plate, china, and miniatures, and there was an attempt to secure the whole of it for the nation, but the project fell through. It was sold by auction in 4,294 lots, and realised Â£71,000. The set of Apostle spoons was secured by the late Rev. T.

Staniforth, a well-known collector, who also possessed an Apostle spoon dated 1493, the most ancient Hall-marked Apostle spoon known. Of three of the best-known sets of thirteen in recent years, one was sold at Christie's in 1901 for Â£1,060. Although not in first-rate condition, the figures being rather worn, they were supposed to be a complete set of the same date, and so attained a very high figure. A well-known set of thirteen is in the possession of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. The thirteenth spoon bears ; a figure of St. Paul, dated 1515, and is earlier than the others which belong to the year 1566. Another set is in the possession of the Goldsmiths' Company, having been presented by Mr. George Lambert FSA. In this set St. Matthias takes the place of Judas Iscariot; these are all of the same maker of the year 1626.

Many good single specimens of different dates are in the possession of the Innholders' Company, and incomplete sets and single spoons may be met with in almost all art collections; but considering the number of sets which must have been manufactured during the century and a half they were so much in vogue, it is a matter of surprise that complete sets should now be so rare, and that so few comparatively have been preserved in public museums and private collections. That period between the date of an object going out of fashion and the time of its becoming of historical value and interest to the collector seems to have been particularly destructive of Apostle spoons. H.H.N. Source: The Collector, Containing Articles and Illustrations, Reprinted from The Queen Newspaper, of Interest to the Great Body of Collectors, on China, Engravings, Etc. - Volume 3 - 1907 Trev. APOSTLE SPOON THE WHAT IS? SILVER DICTIONARY APOSTLE SPOON Apostle spoon is a type of spoon that has, as the finial, a cast figure in-the-round, depicting one of the Twelve Apostles with his attribute.

The bowls of the Apostle Spoons were hammered at the stem forged on the bowl; the figures of the Apostles were cast, being afterwards soldered on to the stem. The mark was punched inside the bowl. The earliest examples dated from the 16th century. These spoons. surmonted by the figures of favourite saints were given as christening gift, in other cases only isolated examples were presented. The gift of the Apostle spoon was chiefly in the Pre-Reformation times when belief in the services of the patron saint was strong and the favourite or family saint was often supplemented by the addition of other patrons. Complete sets od thirteen different spoons having the same maker and date are very rare. Apostle spoon have been reproduced in great numbers, including some made of pewter or latten, as well as inexpensive reproduction which often show the figure without a nimbus or an attribute. Any of the Apostle spoons can be known by the attribute mentioned in the following list: 1 the Master: cross and orb 2 St. Peter: a sword or a key 3 St. Andrew: a cross 4 St. St. James the Greter: a pilgrim's staff 5 St. John: the cup od sorrow 6 St.

Phillip; a staff 7 St. Bartholomew: a knife 8 St. Thomas: a spar 9 St. Matthew: an axe or halbert 10 St. James the Less: a fuller's bat 11 St. Jude: a square 12 St. Simon Zelotes: a long saw 13 St. Judas: a bag of money CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Apostle Spoons Home > Catholic Encyclopedia > A > Apostle Spoons Apostle Spoons Help support New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download . Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more  all for only $19.99... A set of thirteen spoons, usually silver, the handles of which are adorned with representations of Our Lord (the Master spoon) and the twelve Apostles. Anciently they were given by sponsors as baptismal gifts to their godchildren, the wealthy giving complete sets, others a smaller number, and a poor person a single spoon. The Apostles are distinguished one from the other by their respective emblems: St. Peter with a key, sometimes a fish; St.

Andrew with a saltire cross; St. James Major with a pilgrim's staff and gourd; St. John with a chalice ; St. Philip with a long staff surmounted with a cross; St. James Minor with a fuller's bat; St. Thomas with a spear; St. Bartholomew with a butcher's knife; St. Matthew with a wallet, sometimes an axe; St. Matthias with a halberd; St. Thaddeus, or Jude , with a carpenter's square; St. Simon with a saw. In some sets St. Paul takes the place of St. Matthias ; his emblem is a sword. It is doubtful if these spoons were much in use before 1500; the oldest one known is of the year 1593, and they first appeared as a bequest in the will of one Amy Brent who bequeathed in 1516 "XIII sylver spones of J' hu and the XII Apostells". They are alluded to by the dramatists, Shakespeare , Ben Johnson, Middleton, Beaumont, and Fletcher.

In Henry VIII, Act 5, Scene 3, the King asks Cranmer to be sponsor for the infant Elizabeth; he demurs because he is a poor man, upon which Henry banters him in these words: "Come, come, my lord, you'd spare your spoons." While these apostle spoons were used on the Continent, especially in Germany and Holland , they were never as much in vogue there as in England . Brief History Of The Spoon - SilverCollect.org SilverCollect.org Brief History Of The Spoon by KSullivan · September 23, 2012 Spoon History. SilverCollect.org There is plenty of evidence that the people of very early times concentrated along the borders of the sea and large bodies of water. The shores of these waters provided shells which served as natural spoons with which to eat certain types of food. These were available long before man knew how to fashion metal into weapons or implements. Stone knives were made at a very early time, but they were fairly clumsy and apparently were used for hunting rather than eating. This was true even long after metal was employed. Spoons have been found as relics from the table dating from a period long before knives and forks began to appear.

Therefore, we may conclude that the spoon was the first of these implements to be used for eating purposes. Upper Left: Ancient Egyptian ivory spoon with shallow round bowl and short handle. To make shells more convenient, wooden or bone handles were attached. These produced an implement very much like the spoon of today. During many periods, metal spoons have been produced representing the bowl of a shell. Examples of Ancient Wooden Spoons Above: Examples of ancient Egyptian wooden spoons. Very early spoons are found made of wood. This was a natural development from using a flat or hollowed splinter of wood for eating purposes. Some very fine spoons carved of slate, wood and ivory have been preserved as relics from ancientEgypt. By comparing them with other works of Egyptian art, it would seem that they date well back into Egyptian civilization. Above: Left Ancient Egyptian spoon made of slate. Right Figural spoon in the form of a fish. There is a small cavity underneath used as a salt container. In some parts of the world, bronze and gold were being used to make spoons. Stone, wood and other materials were employed in other sections. Some of the earliest specimens found represent works of art.

The use of the spoon was so prevalent that it appears to have been known to practically all of the civilized world. Left: 16th century enameled copper spoon –Limoges. There seems to be no point in following the spoon all the way through the ages and observing its many forms and variations because of the fact that we have not departed far from the original design. There is one variation of interest that might be mentioned, and that is the folding spoon used around 1400 A.D. At that time, people carried their eating utensils with them, and the 1400 model was made to fit the pocket conveniently. Later, when forks came into use, some combination forks and spoons were made. Even the very wealthy did not attempt to provide spoons for their guests as a common practice, but a few of the royalty and nobility did have sufficient silverware to provide for guests. For a long time spoons were practically the only implements represented. Below: Left 17th century combination spoon, fork and toothpick. Right Parts of the combination spoon, fork and toothpick. It was made to fold and carry in the pocket.

The 3-tined fork fit into loops at the back of the bowl, and the toothpick screwed into the handle. During the Tudor and Stuart reigns, a fashionable gift at Christenings was the Apostle spoon (shown at left). A complete set of twelve silver Apostle spoons was indeed a very valuable gift. Sometimes a thirteenth spoon was added, called the “Master” spoon because it bore the figure of Christ. Spoons of copper, pewter or brass were used by folks of limited means. The earliest American-made spoons followed closely the style of the English spoon because the early New England colonists brought examples of these with them. Modifications of these early spoons naturally followed. More ancient spoon images: The History of Knives, Forks and Spoons The History of Knives, Forks and Spoons You use them every day. They're some of the most simple, but useful, devices in existence. They're used the world over. But who, exactly, invented knives, forks and spoons? Spoons Spoons are one of the oldest eating utensils on the planet. This isn’t particularly surprising if one considers that nearly as long as humans have needed food, they’ve required something to scoop it up with.

Unlike knives and forks, that for the most part needed to be fashioned, natural spoons could be utilized by employing such things as seashells or conveniently shaped stones. Sure, the earliest known instances of these didn’t have handles yet, but from these humble beginnings, the spoon was born. Advertisement There is no definitive time period that can be attributed with the invention of the spoon. And by ‘invention’ I of course mean ‘adding a handle made from some dead animals bone.’ However, archaeological evidence suggests that spoons with handles were used for ancient Egyptian religious purposes as early as 1000 BC. Made from materials such as ivory, wood, flint and slate, these spoons were covered in ornate decorations and hieroglyphics. When it came to actually consuming food, the most common material at the time for spoons was wood due to its availability and low cost. However, during the Greek and Roman empires, spoons made of bronze and silver were commonplace among the wealthy. This remained true up to and through the Middle Ages. Advertisement In fact, the first documented evidence of spoons in England was in 1259 – it was counted as an itinerary item from King Edward I’s wardrobe.

Similar to the Egyptians, spoons at this time were not merely used for eating, but also in ornate ceremonies and to demonstrate wealth and power. For example, the coronation of every British king was proceeded by a ritual where the new monarch would be anointed by a ceremonial spoon. Spoons were granted even further importance during the Tudor and Stuart periods when it became customary to give an Apostle Spoon as a christening gift. The particularly wealthy gave a set of twelve of these spoons, and eventually a thirteenth was added. This was called the “Master Spoon”, as it bore the figure of Christ. This practice gave birth to the tradition of christening spoons and was prevalent throughout all societal classes at the time. The only difference was the material from which these spoons were made – typically silver or gold for the upper classes and copper or brass for the lower. Sponsored The design of the spoon changed throughout the Renaissance and Baroque periods before finally receiving its current mostly standard look around the 18th century. Since then, spoons have continued to be a staple of modern tables and come in a wide array of variations – everything from soup to caviar spoons.

Forks The most recent addition to the common cutlery club is the fork. Although they have technically existed since ancient times, these preliminary specimens consisted of a mere two prongs and were used primarily for cooking and serving food. Fingers, spoons and knives were still the most popular choices when it came to actual eating. Advertisement Advertisement Some of the earliest known table forks made their debut in Ancient Egypt. The Qijia culture (2400-1900 BC) that resided in part of present day China also are known to have used forks. A couple thousand years later, the fork’s popularity in the Western world spread via the Silk Road into Venice. One of the earliest recorded evidence of forks in Venice is from an 11th century story of the the wedding of a Byzantine princess, Theodora Anna Doukaina, to Domenico Selvo. She supposedly brought gold forks as part of her dowry. Apparently it was quite the scandal. The God fearing Venetians saw these pronged monstrosities as a slight against The Lord himself who gave us perfectly good fingers to eat with. I can’t make this stuff up: Advertisement God in his wisdom has provided man with natural forks – his fingers.

Therefore it is an insult to Him to substitute artificial metallic forks for them when eating. -St. Peter Damian Of course, in the Book of I Samuel (2:13)- thought to have been composed around 640-540 BC- it states that Jewish priests’ assistants used forks: And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand… Such trivial mentions as usage in the Holy scriptures by none other than the priests’ servants themselves didn’t stop many religious elite from vilifying the fork and poor Theodora. (They also didn’t like that she used napkins, among other things.) Advertisement Advertisement When the princess died two years later of a mysterious degenerative disease, it was considered by some to be punishment for her pride and perceived excesses. What the fork? Despite being mentioned as OK to use in the Hebrew Bible, forks in the Western world continued to carry this negative stigma due to their association with Eastern decadence and being perceived as an affront to God. They were subsequently strictly reserved for sticky food.

The fork’s popularity began to grow during the 16th century due to the infamous historical trend setter Catherine de Medici. She helped popularize the fork (as well as pasta, olive oil, chianti and the separation of sweet and savoury) with the French tables after her marriage to Henry II. At this time, anything Italian was in vogue thanks to the Renaissance. Advertisement The fork also became more popular as hygiene ideals began to change. Up until this point, purposely clogging one’s pores with dirt to prevent the plague infiltrating through them was considered a good idea. ( Similar thought processes were largely why bathing was uncommon during Medieval times - you don’t want disease filled water getting in your pours!) Many people also preferred to blow their noses directly into their hands instead of onto the tablecloth, as that would be bad manners. Now, imagine these same people eating with their hands. Naturally, the fork began to seem increasingly attractive to those who preferred their food to be free of filth. However, many men still rejected them as they were considered too feminine. This began to alter when they began to be crafted with ruffled cuffs….

This might seem strange to us, but let’s not forget that high heels were originally invented for men, who also commonly wore tights with them … By the 18th century, curved forks with tines were increasingly used in order to defeat food such as peas. People would also carry around their own personal cutlery sets, though forks were still primarily used by the upper classes. Advertisement Advertisement It wasn’t until a hundred years later during the Industrialization period that the lower and middle classes began commonly using forks also. Commoners even began to be able to afford to have entire cutlery sets to offer guests – some even matched! Forks quickly surpassed knives as the most popular cutlery item which resulted in the Victorians creating an overabundance of fork varietals. You can thank them next time you’re spearing some juicy lobster meat with one. Since then, the fork has remained a staple in Western society. Knives Knives have dually been utilized as both a weapon and an eating implement since prehistoric times. This is quite logical – you kill your food and then cut it into conveniently sized pieces with one handy tool. However, knives weren’t domesticated or fashioned exclusively for table use until the Bourbon Dynasty in France.

Up until this point, they were typically incredibly sharp due to their aforementioned use in killing one’s food. Advertisement As such, the presence of knives at a table posed a constant threat. It’s important to remember that this was also an age where a significant source of hydration came from wine and ale. Therefore, it wasn’t uncommon for the particularly inebriated to accidentally puncture their mouths whilst trying to eat their food. Of course, when forks began gaining in popularity during the Middle Ages, this resulted in less of a need for a pointed knife during meal times. As such, in 1669, Louis XIV- the same guy who loved doing up his hair and wearing tights and high heels as was the manly fashion at the time- made these overly sharp knives illegal at the table and replaced them with blunter / wider ones. This has for the most part remained the norm up until the present day, though the standardized stainless steel variety weren’t introduced until around the 20th century. If you liked this article, you might also enjoy: Advertisement Early British Table Silver,M. Ford Creech Antiques & Fine Arts, Memphis, TN M.

FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE ARTS EARLY BRITISH TABLE SILVER : A SHORT HISTORY 17th & 18th Century British Spoon Forms : Apostle (1624), Seal Top (c1640), Laceback Trefid (1680), Dognose (1708), Hanoverian (1715), "Broad French Stem" (1731), Old English (1795) The word spoon deriving from the Anglo-Saxon word "spon", meaning sliver of wood. The use of spoon-like utensils goes back to pre-history. Earliest spoons were probably shells. The earliest found silver British spoon dates to the Anglo-Saxon period (499-1060) and resides in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. From the 1500's, single silver spoons were often given at birth to the wealthy as a lifetime utensil. These were carried about on the person when traveling - through a slit in the hat, or perhaps in a "cutlery pouch" suspended from the waist - a practice common even into the early 18th century.

If one forgot his/her utensils, the "house spoon" of wood of pewter might be supplied by the inn or host. Also see : Early 17th Century Traveling Figural Spoon The 15th and early 16th century spoon might have a fig-shaped bowl and variation of shafts - from plain, to small seal and figural terminals, including apostle spoons. In the 16th and early 17th century, a royal or extremely wealthy newborn might be recipient of a small "set" of apostle spoons at christening; however, even those were given by multiple sponsors, the sponsorship being limited to 3 in the second half of the 16th century. A complete set of apostle spoons would comprise 13 spoons - 12 apostles and one master spoon of the Christ figure. Few such complete sets, of the same maker and date, still exist, and usually reside in museums. Most have varying makers and dates. Large sets of spoons were quite rare in the early 18th century.

Although sets of 12 utensils (forks or spoons) were ordered from c1720 forward, the complete set of silver flatware, as we know it today, did not come about until c1760. Even early Georgian Hanoverian sets are quite rare. Most who wish to collect and use early Georgian silver for the table will assemble a set. With great patience, a set by the same maker might be assembled, having different dates and owners' initials or crests. However varying makers, dates, and towns of origin are also quite acceptable and usual. Small silver dessert sets were introduced in the1690's, usually in sets of 6, both in the trefid ("French forked spoon" - from c1660) and dognose (wavy-end - from c1690) patterns. In the Queen Anne period (1702-14), although most spoons were still ordered in singles or pairs, some small sets were ordered - usually still in sets of 6, known as straight sets. These were added to as needed - those sets then called assembled.

Some Interesting Early Spoon Forms : Left to Right Trefid Sweetmeat Spoon (c1695), Queen Anne Dognose Teaspoon (c1710), Cast Handle Teaspoon (c1750) Hanoverian Sugar Sifting Ladles (c1780) and Mote Spoon for tea straining (c1750) Onslow Teaspoon (1767), Rare Thread and Drop Teaspoon (c1780), Miniature Marrow Spoon (1800) (Many smaller spoons bear only a sterling and/or a maker's mark) In the late Queen Anne period, the Hanoverian pattern, with Continental roots, having a more elongated bowl and rounded upturned terminal was introduced into England, and became the form of preference during the early Georgian period. It was also during the George I (1714-1727) period that sets of 12 became available.

A service at this time might consist of assembled sets of 8" place (table) spoons, dessert spoons (a 6.5" spoon introduced about 1730 and made through about 1775 - of similar size to our modern teaspoon), 8" dinner forks, 6.5" dessert forks, and various serving pieces. Measurements varied, even within the same sets, or services. In the early 18th century, most foods continued to be eaten with a spoon. Knives were ordered separately. Some Early Forks: top to bottom: Sucket Fork, early 17c (for staining fruits and wet puddings); Britannia Silver Dognose Fork; Silver Hanoverian 3-Tined Fork; 4-Tined Fork, used with both mid-18c Hanoverian & Old English Forks, in the early 17th century, were used only for moving and securing food - as while carving. Prior to the late 17th century, forks had only two sharp tines.

At the very end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th century, silver dinner forks with three tines were introduced - the three tines representing the thumb and two first fingers, then proper for transporting solid foods to the mouth. Although forks had existed since biblical times, they were quite slow to catch on in England. The earlier British clergy contended that God gave people fingers for eating, and declared forks to be diabolical (forks sometimes then referred to as "pitchforks", having the same Latin root furca). The "sherbet course" was introduced in the early 1700's, not to clear the palette, as commonly thought, but for the washing of the single fork for the next course. Queen Anne dognose forks are quite rare and therefore quite expensive - more suitable for the collector than for table use. The Hanoverian three-tine fork, while still rare in good condition, is more accessible and quite acceptable with dognose spoons, also being used with dognose spoons during the Queen Anne period.

Four-tine forks became popular in the 1750's, along with the Old English Pattern, in which the shaft of the Hanoverian pattern was inverted, and the table set with the bowls facing upwards. Early forks usually show some degree of wear to the ends of the tines (prongs), especially the outer tines. This is considered normal wear. Knives were ordered from "haft makers", and not included with sets of silver until the late 18th century. Very early knives were sharply pointed "eating knives", carried in sheaths - until France's King Louis XIV declared all knives ground down to reduce violence (1669). Legend has it that the action was also in response to rumors of a planned attack on his life at his own table. A second story relates that France's Cardinal Richelieu grew tired of guests picking their teeth with the knife points - thereby ordering the tips ground down. The result was the rounded tip to the knife that we now know. The blunted knife quickly became an excellent eating assist to collect morsels that would fall between the two tines of the early two-tine fork.

Handles (hafts) were both simple and elaborately carved - some even in gold, ivory and inlaid with jewels. The late 17th century saw the introduction of the very stylish silver cannon-handled knife. Cannon-handled knives, now exceptionally rare, were followed quickly by silver pistol-handled knives, the latter being used with both dognose and Hanoverian forms. The earlier pistol handle is quite simple - both rounded and flat sided in design. From c1730, ornate acanthus or shell scrolls became popular at the terminals (see above illustration). The blunt-tipped scimitar form blades, as above, were made from carbon steel, and will be stained, usually showing wear from sharpening. Mid to late 18th century Old English pattern knives vary in style - most having a straight or tapering haft and straight blunt tip blade, sometimes matched to the spoons and forks in design. Often early knives have been "re-bladed" with stainless steel for ease of contemporary table use. There are also some very good cleaners for maintaining the early carbon steel blades. Monograms and Crests add to the value of early silver. The earliest markings were for personal identification.

Earliest initials were simply pricked in with a nail, or another sharp instrument. Into the 18th century, initials were scratch-engraved - often with two initials beneath a single initial, denoting a marriage. Early 18th century monograms sometimes took a conjoined script mirror form, known as cypher-engraved. Late 18th century saw complex conjoined script monograms. Crests and arms could only be used by those with a title, being fashionable from Charles II period forward. They served not only as identification, enabling stolen or bartered silver to be returned, but for the "dignity of the host and benefit of the guest". One of the most charming pieces of silver I have seen was a late 17th century spoon, with the dates and initials of all the female owners to whom the spoon had been passed from its original owner. The engravings covered both the shaft and back of the bowl. However, a common practice was to a remove the monograms or crests if a service went up for sale. This would free the service to be engraved by the next owner.

Later Georgian silver patterns, 1790-1830, are better known and, with a few exceptions, more available. They include Old English variants, with a beaded edge, the Fiddle and Thread pattern, and its variants with a shell, introduced c1790 from the European models. The Fiddle and the Oar patterns were introduced c1800. The ornate and rare Coburg pattern ,(pictured above - click to view ) was introduced c1812 - much favored by Paul Storr. The King's pattern was introduced c1815, with it variants Queens, King's Husk and King Hourglass. Most of these later patterns were made throughout the 19th century and into the 20th century. Note regarding silver content and marks: Great Britain has always retained a close scrutiny to the production of silver articles, requiring all silver to be assayed and marked in a punch for content since 1327. The date letter system and maker's marks was introduced in 1478, and the sterling lion passant mark introduced in 1544. "Wrong" articles were destroyed at the assay.

It is not unusual to read in silver chronicles how many spoons were broken by a particular maker. These marks are quite helpful in properly identifying a piece, even if rubbed or partially struck. Some small items below 1 oz. are not marked, and some smaller items are only partially marked. Early British silver will be of the sterling standard of .925 silver (925 parts of silver to 75 parts of copper for strength). Silver from 1696-1720 will be of the Britannia silver standard of .958, and bear the Britannia (figure of a woman) punch instead of the lion passant. On London silver, the crowned leopard's head (town mark) was replaced by the lion's head erased with protruding tongue. The Britannia standard was briefly imposed to limit the melting of coinage for decorative purposes. Britannia silver still remains an option in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Hanoverian Table Setting We specialize in the Hanoverian pattern (shown above), with its excellent weight, simple sculptural form and perfect balance. Spoons are available with both rattail and drop heels, and also pattern backs.

Forks and knives are available as we can find them, which is quite difficult in good condition. Although teaspoons were not part of the meal (early teaspoons being 4.75" long), we also offer various forms, some with patterned backs - excellent not only for collectors, but for condiments, espresso spoons, and feeding spoons. At this time, we also have several selections of mid-18th century Onslow pattern, with cast scrolled terminals. We also offer a few trefid and dognose (wavy-end) spoons, and select serving pieces in the Old English, Fiddle and Kings patterns. We purchase only those flatware examples with presence suitable for the table or collecting. We offer selections both in sets, and individually. On a personal note: Although I would have made a dreadful pioneer woman -- I love air-conditioning, electric dishwashers and email -- I find early spoons one of the most personal pieces I can own from a time so different in life and customs from my own. It's ownership and use can transport the imagination, or transform the ordinary into elegance with a unique connection to history - on a daily basis.

Question: How many spoons are there in a full set of Apostle spoons?
Answer: 13